The US Department of State’s Special Advisor on International Disability Rights has praised Qatar’s efforts to make the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 more accessible to those with special needs.
Sara Minkara praised Qatar for their tremendous initiative to broaden the World Cup’s appeal and preserve it as a legacy.
“It’s going to be the most accessible World Cup so far, which is so great,” she said in an interview with us.
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“It’s a value to society when we’re creating an inclusive and accessible space,” she added.
Minkara is on a visit to Qatar to participate in this year’s World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH).
She said the initiative to include the whole aspect of accessibility beyond designing World Cup stadiums is commendable.
“They have not just limited it to stadiums but integrated into transportation and hotel infrastructure, making sure accessibility is not just from a physical sense, but also sensory sense. And it is really great,” said Minkara.
She added that having accessibility and inclusivity design adviser Mark Dyer as a programme management consultant at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy is a remarkable decision.
“And the fact that they hired Mark Dyer, an inclusion design specialist who constructed this whole aspect of accessibility design within the World Cup is amazing,” said Minkara.
During her visit, Minkara held several discussions with officials and visited places and experienced the facilities.
“I think our work and our collaboration with Qatar is very much how do we continue supporting in the sense of bringing forward disability inclusion as a point of value; and how do we really bring forward this value based narrative across the board for everyone in Qatar,” she said. She emphasised the fact that accessibility is not limited to the infrastructure and facilities but it is also important to provide a comfortable environment for the people with disabilities.
“I believe that accessibility goes beyond simply providing a seat and a table. Do I feel safe expressing who I really am in this setting? Because some narratives are stopping me from contributing a particular aspect of who I am, she said, “Am I comfortable giving my true perspective and my authentic voice, or do I still?”
“People with impairments have capabilities and values. Societies must ensure that they are truly integrated, she continued.
